Ensuring Avast Antivirus is installed and actively protecting your PC

If you experience an issue with Avast Antivirus, we recommend you verify that the program is fully installed, up to date, and functioning properly before taking further troubleshooting steps.

Installation

Select your version of Windows and follow the steps to confirm that Avast Antivirus is installed on your PC using the Programs and Features section of your Windows Control Panel:

Right-click the Windows Start button and select Programs and Features from the menu that appears.

Confirm that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in Programs and Features.

Press the Win key and X key simultaneously, then select Programs and Features from the menu that appears.

Confirm that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in Programs and Features.

Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.

Under Programs, click Uninstall a program if you are using the default category view,
...or click Programs and Features if you are using the large/small icons view.

Confirm that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in Programs and Features.

Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel,
...or select Settings and then click Control Panel if you are using the classic Start menu.

Under Programs, click Uninstall a program if you are using the default category view,
...or double-click Programs and Features if you are using the classic view.

Confirm that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in Programs and Features.

Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel,
...or select Settings and then click Control Panel if you are using the classic Start menu.

Click Add or Remove Programs if you are using the category view,
...or double-click Add or Remove Programs if you are using the classic view.

Confirm that your version of Avast Antivirus is visible in the list of programs and features that appears.

If your version of Avast Antivirus does not appear in the list of programs and features, the program is not installed on your PC. Refer to the relevant article to install your preferred version of Avast Antivirus:

Program and Virus Definitions

To ensure you are fully protected, keep Avast Antivirus up to date at all times. If you are unsure whether you are using the latest version of the program or whether the virus definitions used by the program to protect you are up to date, refer to the following article:

Protection status

To determine the current status of your Avast Antivirus protection, open the user interface (right-click the Avast icon in your system tray and select Open Avast user interface from the menu that appears). The status is visible on the main screen of the user interface.

The text You're protected indicates that Avast Antivirus is up to date, actively protecting your PC against malware, and has not detected any current threats. When this status appears, no actions are required of you.

The following statuses require your attention:

You're in danger

You're vulnerable

Avast is down

If any of these statuses appear, click the option displayed below the status to resolve the issue. These options may include Restart Now or an individual action such as turning on protection components which are currently turned off.

To further verify that Avast Antivirus is protecting your PC against malware, refer to the following article for steps: